Should You Drink Coffee Before A Run? Heres The Effects

A common question for runners is “should I drink coffee before a run?“.

It’s undeniable that coffee, and specifically the caffeine it contains, can provide a performance-enhancing boost. Athletes across the world are aware of this, and it’s backed up by hundreds of studies.

But is coffee – or any form of caffeine really – right for you?

In this post, we’ll dive into how coffee helps your performance, some of the side effects and things to consider – such as taking account of your tolerance for caffeine, and look at the best practices for drinking coffee before a morning run!

How To Drink Coffee Before A Run For Maximum Results

But – there are certain things to consider in order to optimise your morning coffee-fueled run.

Let’s check them out!

Time Your Coffee Right

You want to take your caffeine hit around 45 minutes before you start your run workout, according to this study – you have to wait some time for the coffee to hit your bloodstream, but if you wait too long the effects will begin to fade.

How Much Coffee To Drink Before a Run

Studies have shown that 3-6mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight is all that’s required to achieve the desired results; in other words, a regular cup of strong coffee is suitable for a 75kg person.

Don’t Drink Too Much

While it’s easy to get carried away with your cup of morning joe, be aware that higher doses do not lead to a performance improvement.

Instead, you’ll experience side effects such as dizziness, anxiety, heart palpitations, and inability to sleep well.

In other words, exercise control when preparing your coffee before a run!

Everyone’s Caffeine Tolerance Is Different

Something worth bearing in mind, especially if you’re a coffee rookie, is that everyone has different tolerances to caffeine.

If you’ve been drinking it daily for a while, you can expect to build up a resistance to small doses – and may need stronger stuff to wake you up.

Similarly, remember that your build affects your tolerance.

A triple espresso will have different effects on a 300-pound gorilla than it will a 100-pound grandma!

Coffee Doesn’t Seem To Dehydrate You

It’s common wisdom that coffee leaves you dehydrated – new studies however reckon that’s not true, and have shown there’s little evidence to support the claim.

If you are using coffee to boost your morning run, it’s worth remembering that even if the coffee doesn’t dehydrate you, the run will.

Replenish those fluids lost with water, and feel free to add electrolytes.

Just Tasting It Works

Recent studies in the Journal of Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism have shown that the effects of caffeine can begin as soon as it enters your mouth.

Taste receptors signal to your brain that caffeine is coming, so the effects begin immediately.

This was proven in studies where the participants swilled a caffeine drink in their mouth before spitting it out.

Pre-Run Caffeine Can Even Help Your Post-Run Recovery

A study of participants in a 15k race showed that those who drank caffeine before the run had an enhanced anti-inflammatory response after the run – suggesting that caffeine can lower inflammation and help you recover faster.

How To Take Your Coffee Before a Run

Based on the research, my recommendation is as follows:

Take a cup of strong coffee 45 minutes before you go for a run.

Adjust the strength and quantity based on your tolerance and experience; if in doubt, start with a small, weaker coffee.

If you’re going running first thing in the morning, take the coffee the minute you wake up.

I recommend supplementing your coffee with some food to fuel your run – a banana is perhaps the perfect pre-morning run snack.

How Do You Take It?

If I’m not in a hurry (which is unusual) I’ll get out my Aeropress and take time making the perfect cup.

How do you take your coffee?

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Thomas Watson

Thomas Watson is an ultra-runner, UESCA-certified running coach, and the founder of MarathonHandbook.com. His work has been featured in Runner's World, Livestrong.com, MapMyRun, and many other running publications. He likes running interesting races and good beer. More at his bio.

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I so love my coffee. I am an avid coffee maker at home and coffee snob. I will never grab a cup of freeze dried anymore. Have not done that in over 15 years. My machine is big and loud and getting up early 5-5:30am for my runs is not conducive to noise for my young family. I do like your suggestion of the Moka pot or Aeropress though. I reckon I can get away with the kettle so i’ll look to grind the night before, store it appropriately so it does not oxidise and do a filter coffee in… Read more »

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